Simplicity, Graco Crib Recall
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of about 1 million Simplicity cribs because of the risk of the drop side being attached upside-down, which weakens the hardware and can cause the drop side to detach from the crib, creating a gap that poses an entrapment hazard. The deaths of a nine-month-old and a six-month-old have been attributed to accidents due to improper installation of the drop side. The CPSC is also investigating the death of a one-year-old in a newer-style Simplicity crib with the drop side installed upside down. There have also been a couple reports of correctly-installed drop sides detaching.
The recalled Simplicity crib models include: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves the following Simplicity cribs that used the Graco logo: Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio.
The recalled cribs have one of the following model numbers, which can be found on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard: 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996.
The cribs, which were made in China, were sold in department stores, children’s stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.
Consumers are advised to make sure their crib’s drop side is installed right side up and is securely attached to the tracks in all four corners.
This is a photo of a correct install:
This is incorrect - the drop side is upside down:
Next consumers should check to see if their cribs have the older-style hardware, which is being recalled:
Here’s a photo of the newer style, which is not recalled (note the permanent stop at the bottom of the track):
From the CPSC site:
Consumers who have a crib with older style hardware can receive a free repair by immediately contacting Simplicity toll-free at (888) 593-9274 between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, or by visiting the firm’s Web site at www.simplicityforchildren.com
Consumers who have a crib with newer style hardware and have installed the drop-side upside down or have broken hardware, should also contact Simplicity immediately.
Posted by MommaSteph.
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
The buck stops here, at my house. I’m a careful shopper. But, how do we really know if we are making a wise purchase? It’s scary and consequences are serious.
I am starting by making NO Made In China purchases if I can help it. The “If” part is what is so sad. Try to find something that isn’t made in China!
But, if we don’t demand other choices, Chinese messed up, poisoned and tainted products is all we’ll get! Demand retailers to carry choices besides the usual Made In China items by talking to the manager or asst. manager directly. They often can order things that we don’t see out on display.
Lainie
September 27th, 2007 at 7:12 am
“Consumers who have a crib with older style hardware can receive a free repair by immediately”
Yeah and their definition of immediately is 4-6 weeks!